This pudding is incredibly easy to make and should take no more than 5 minutes to get into the oven. It's a great store cupboard standby, or you could use fresh ripe apricots that have been skinned if they are in season. Just make sure they are very ripe or they will not cook in the time allowed.

Brown scones are full of roughage and great for breakfast. And here is a good tip: you can make this mixture, shape the scones and freeze them. You can then cook the scones straight from the freezer to the oven - just give them an extra 5 minutes and make sure the scones are golden brown and well-risen.

This is one of those dishes that is worth taking a trip to the Asian supermarket for, where you'll find Chinese dried mushrooms and shrimps, not to mention a fantastic range of rice noodles to choose from. The finished result will taste better than any Chinese takeaway. If you can't get them, use fresh shiitake mushrooms instead of dried ones and add in a few more fresh prawns.